How to Complete Companies House Verification From Pakistan

If you are a director, person with significant control (PSC) or LLP member of a UK company and you live in Pakistan, you are required to complete Companies House identity verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). The good news is that the entire process can be completed remotely from Pakistan — no UK visit is required.

Why Pakistani directors need to verify

Since 18 November 2025, all individuals connected to UK companies must verify their identity with Companies House. This applies regardless of where you live. If you are a Pakistani national serving as a director or PSC of a UK company, you must obtain an 11-character personal code by the November 2026 deadline. Failure to verify is a criminal offence under ECCTA.

Accepted documents from Pakistan

The GOV.UK One Login route accepts only UK passports and UK driving licences. Since most Pakistani directors will not hold these documents, the Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) route is typically the better option. Through an ACSP, the following Pakistani documents are generally accepted:

• Pakistani passport — must be current and machine-readable (the most widely accepted document)
• NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) — may be accepted as a supplementary document depending on the ACSP

Your passport is the primary document for verification. Make sure it is not expired and that your name matches the spelling recorded at Companies House exactly. Even small differences between your passport name and the Companies House register can cause delays.

How the remote verification process works

1. Choose your verification route — select an ACSP that supports international applicants with Pakistani documents
2. Provide your personal details — full name, date of birth, residential address in Pakistan and UK company number
3. Submit your identity document — upload a clear photo or scan of your Pakistani passport
4. Complete the liveness check — take a live selfie to confirm you are the person in the passport photo
5. Receive your personal code — once verified, you receive your 11-character Companies House personal code

Common issues for Pakistani applicants

Pakistani directors sometimes encounter specific issues during verification:

• Name transliteration differences — Urdu names transliterated into English may vary between your passport and the Companies House register. Check the exact spelling before starting.
• Father’s name vs surname — Pakistani passports sometimes list names differently from how they were filed with Companies House. Ensure consistency.
• Expired passport — an expired passport will be rejected. Renew it through NADRA before attempting verification.
• Poor photo quality — ensure good lighting and a clear, sharp image of your passport data page.

Time zone and processing

Pakistan is five hours ahead of the UK (PKT, UTC+5). Most online verification services operate across time zones, so you can submit your documents at any time. Processing is typically completed within one to two working days after valid documents have been received, though additional checks may take longer.

Using Companies House ID Verification from Pakistan

Companies House ID Verification provides a guided verification service designed for international applicants, including those in Pakistan. The fixed £19 fee per person covers the full process: document guidance, identity checks and personal code support. See the document requirements before starting to confirm your Pakistani passport meets the criteria.

You can read the official Companies House identity verification guidance for the latest requirements.